Google locks down Android Wear, Android Auto and Android TV UIs

Aiming for consistent experiences

The Moto 360 experience will be very similar to other Android Wear watches

Google has confirmed that manufacturers will not be able to alter the user interface for devices running its three new Android operating systems.

Following the launch of Android Wear, Android TV and the in-car Android Auto platform at Google I/O there was doubt over whether OEMs would have the freedom to overlay their own custom takes on Android.

Google engineering director David Burke says the firm wants a more consistent feel across these devices, claiming the stock UI is more important to the product than it is to, say, Android for phones or tablets.

He told Ars Technica: "The UI is more part of the product in this case. We want to just have a very consistent user experience, so if you have one TV in one room and another TV in another room and they both say Android TV, we want them to work the same and look the same."

'It should be the same'

Burke added that manufacturers like HTC, Samsung, LG and Motorola will have the freedom to add their own services and apps into the mix, but that's as far as it'll go.

He said: "The device manufacturers can brand it, and they might have services that they want to include with it, but otherwise it should be the same."